Pledge dies on bid night

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From The Diamondback at the University of Maryland:

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- University of Maryland student Daniel Reardon, 19, died Thursday at 4:50 p.m. at Washington Adventist Hospital after his family requested he be removed from life support.

An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death will be performed Saturday if Reardon's body arrives before noon, according to the state medical examiner's office. In an interview with WUSA-TV, Reardon's family had expressed interest in donating his organs.

Reardon was found unconscious last Friday at 3:50 a.m. in a lounge area of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house at 7 Fraternity Row.

According to the fraternity's Web site, Thursday was its annual bid night, when recruits are offered membership to the fraternity. That night Reardon, a boarder at the Phi Sigma Kappa house, accepted a bid from the fraternity, said greek life director Matt Supple.

Police are still investigating the incident, but alcohol is considered a contributing factor, said University Police spokesman Capt. Paul Dillon.

Investigators are examining whether hazing violations were committed, said university spokesman George Cathcart.

After the police finish their investigation, other groups, including the Interfraternity Council, the judicial programs office, the greek life office and the Phi Sigma Kappa international fraternity, will be investigating the events surrounding Reardon's death, Supple said.

"We hope that the people who were there that night come out with the truth," said Emily Grinstead, a friend of Reardon's since elementary school. "They keep telling us that everyone's story is fuddled."

Reardon's friends said he never talked about joining a fraternity, but said that it would not surprise them if he had.

Jeff Curtin, another friend since elementary school, said, "He's the type of guy that would." Curtin said he was social, friendly and always able to light up a room.

Friends also asserted that although Reardon liked to have a good time, he was not known for heavy drinking.

"He was always under control and never acted disrespectful or out of character on alcohol," Curtin said.

Reardon graduated from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School in Washington in 2000 and spent last year visiting 15 countries. Friends and family said Reardon matured since traveling in Europe.

"I feel like he grew up a lot in the last year," Curtin said. "Every time I saw him he seemed more together. He was really turning into a respectable guy."

Reardon decided to attend the university because he was offered a president's scholarship and because it has a pre-dental program. In high school, Reardon worked as a dental assistant in his father's dental practice and was considering pursuing dentistry or business as a career.

Friends and family said leadership was one of Reardon's strongest qualities.

"He made kids feel welcome," his father said. "He would befriend kids that weren't necessarily involved in the in-crowd."

His other interests included music, working out, running and skiing. He was also a member of his high school varsity crew team.

A memorial service will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at St. Columba Episcopal Church at 4201 Albemarle St., Washington, NW. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Columba's Outreach Ministries or the Woodrow Wilson Senior High School Crew Team, in Washington, D.C.

The university has provided counselors to the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house since Feb. 8, when Reardon was found at the house.